Cotter t



(N0 ModeL) .I BRIDE.

` v.GLOSURB s5wBRs,PIPBs,&c. 'l No. 539,568. Patented May 21, 189-5.

Nrrnn Smyrne'v PATENT e uric.

COTTER T. BRIDE, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBI.

cLosuRE FOR sEwERs, PIPEs, ato.

`SPECIFICATION fOrming part of Letters Patent 4No.ESB'VLSS, dated May21, 1895.

i Application filed August 4, 1894. Serial Noi 519,470. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern,.-

Be 'it known that I, CoTrER T. BRIDE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, have in# ventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Closures for Sewers, Pipes, dto.,of which the following is a specification.

My invention consists in a novel closure or dam for sewers, pipes,conduits and drains, and is designed particularly for use in iiushingsewers, though applicable also to other purposes.

Briefly described, the device consists of a circumferentially-grooved orrecessed disk, encircled by an inflatable ring or packing, the inflationof which causes it to closely fit and fill the interior of the sewer,pipe or passage within which it is placed. The disk gives I strength tothe structure and support to the ring, and also permits properAattachment of the air pipe, controlling rope, 8vo., besides reducing therequisite capacity of the ring or inatable member, and precludingpassage of water through distortion of vsaid ring.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a vertical sectional View of asewer and manhole tower or shaft, showing two of thedams or closures inuse. Fig. 2 `is a perspective view of the closure, and Fig. 3 asectional View of the same.

A indicates the ordinary manhole tower or shaft, and B and C pipes orbranches of a sewer communicating therewith in the ordinary way. Thetower Ais commonly of con siderable height, and is capable of holding alarge vbody of water if the pipes communicating with it be sealed.

D indicates my improved closure or dam, which is employed to close thepipes or branches opening intothe manhole tower or shaft, one suchclosure being usedin each pipe or branch, as indicated in Fig. 1.1

The closure D comprises a central disk or body a, of wood or othersuitable material, which is circumferentially grooved, as shown in Fig.3, and an annular bag or packing ring b, of rubber, rubber cloth, orother flexible and preferably elastic material.

.The ring or packing b, which is preferably a point near kits bearingwithin the conduit in which it is placed.

. E indicates an air pipe communicating with pipe or signed to beconnected with an air pump F, of any suitable type. In order that theremay be no strain upon the ring or packing through its connection withthe air-pipe, I preferably interpose between the two a metallic couplingor connection, d, which is firmly secured to the disk or body a, and isformed with two communicating tubular necks, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.To one of these necks is secured a shorttube b communicating with theinterior of the ring, while the other is threaded to receive thecoupling e of air pipe E,-ordinary hose being commonly used for suchpipe. By this construction and arrangement I provide for readyattachment and removal of pipe E, and effectually guard against strainupon the ring b or its charging tube b.

The pipe E is furnished with a cock F, by which the pipe may be sealedtoprevent escape of air and preclude collapse` of the ring or packingwhile the manhole tower or shaft is being filled withwater.

G indicates a rope, secured at one end to the disk or body a, preferablynear the lower side thereof as the device stands when in use. Thevpurpose 'of this rope is to ,suddenly tip the disk a at the proper time,so that only its thicknessrshall impede the flow/of water through thepipe,-a further pulling of the rope serving to p withdraw the closurecompletely from the pipe or passage. Practically, the device iswithdrawn. in one quick movement, though ordinarily the initial portionof the movement will be a tipping one, about a horizontal axis.

at ythe same time give it adequate 4support to the interior of the ringor packing b, and de- Measureably good results can be attained throughthe use of a flexible ring or packing of the form shown, but devoid ofelasticity or expansibility beyond its normal size,pro vided it be largeenough to completely till the pipe or passage in which it is to be used;but it is better to employ an elastic ring capable of more or lessexpansion beyond its normal limits, as a closer and better joint orclosure is thereby effected.

The disk and ring or packing may be of any desired form and size,according to the passage to be closed,-and while I prefer wood for thedisk and rubber for the ring, it is to be understood that iron or otherrigid material may be used for the disk or body ctr-and canvas, leatheror other flexible material may be employed for the ring. So too the ringmay be inflated or expanded by gas, water or other fluid or liquid.

A very important feature of my invention, and one which distinguishes itfrom all others of which I have knowledge, is the relatively smallcapacity of the ring as compared with the diameter of the entire device.This is of importance in that it enables the user to quickly fill andempty the ring or packing, the pressure of the water in the shaftcausing it to collapse instantly upon the opening of cock F. It isfurther important in that there is far less chance for the air to shiftand permit indentation or collapse of the ring at some one point, thusallowing the escape or passage of water at such point.

I am aware that it has been proposed to employ a flexible bag as aclosure for sewers during preparation for flushing, the bag to beexpanded by water, under hydrostatic pressure, and I make no claimthereto. Such a closure requires elevation ofthe mouth of the chargingpipe to a considerable height above the top of the manhole shaftin orderto expand the bag and hold it expanded against the water pressure in theshaft,--and necessitates the lowering of the pipe to the bottom of theshaft in order to permit collapse of the bag, which will then be slow.Moreover, the large bag necessarily used will empty and collapse slowly,and remaining in the passageway will impede the flow of water to such anextent as to preclude prompt and thorough flushing, to which the rapidrush of a large volume of water is essential.

I am further aware that it has been proposed to provide the pistons ofsteam engines with a metallic packing ring, and to expand said ring bythe inflation of an expansible ring interposed between the periphery ofthe piston and said metallic ring. Such construction is unsuited tothepurposes of my device, for the reason that a metallic ring such as usedfor piston packings, cannot adapt itself accurately to the inequalitiesand irregularities of sewers and make a tight joint therewith. Eventerra cotta pipes are more orless irregular in form, owing to distortionin burning or before, and their surfaces are somewhat rough, while bricksewers are still more irregular, and a metallic packing ring would bepractically useless therein.

Finally, I am aware that a flood gate for sewers has been proposed,consisting of a disk having a beveled edge and a packing sheet to coversaid edge and aid in closing the sewer, the gate in such case beingretained in operative position by a toggle brace. In this also thecapability of adaptation to irregularities of any considerable extent islacking, and a shoulder within the sewer for the brace to rest againstis essential.

By my invention I am enabled to close openings of marked irregularity,and differing materially in form and dimensions from the disk or rigidbody of the closure, and this without the aid of braces or supports ofany kind.

The operation of the device is obvious, each opening being duly closedby one of the dams or closures,the shaft being filled to proper level;and then the cock of one or more of the pipes E being opened to permitescape of air from and collapse of the packing rin g,-after which therope is pulled t0 tip and withdraw the closure. Of course only thevalves of those closures will be opened, which control the particularpassages to be flushed.

"While it is deemed preferable to seat the packing ring in a groove inthe circumference of the disk, it is obvious that the groove may beomitted and the ring be cemented or otherwise made fast to the disk. Sotoo, the closure may be used for openings generally.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. A dam or closure forpipes, conduits, dsc., consisting of an imperforate central disk orbody, and a hollow expansible ring or packing extending around the disk,adapted to be expanded by the introduction of fluid, and arranged tocome directly into contact with and to lit itself accurately to theWalls or boundaries of the opening to be closed, substantially as andfor the purposes set forth.

2. A dam or closure for pipes, conduits, tbc., consisting of animperforate central disk or body, and a hollow or tubular packing ringof elastic material encircling said disk, exposed at its outerperiphery, and adapted to be expanded by fluid pressure, whereby thepacking is caused to adapt itself accurately to all irregularities ofthe surrounding walls, and by pressure thereagainst to. secure theclosure firmly in position.

3. A dam or closure for pipes, conduits, &c., consisting of acircumferentially grooved imperforate disk or body, and a hollow packingring of flexible material seated in the groove IOO IIO

of the disk, projecting beyond the periphery d, secured rigidly to thedisk or body a and thereof, adapted to be expanded by duid communicatingwith tube b', whereby said pressure and exposed at its outer surface,tube is relieved from strain, substantially as whereby it is adapted toclose the space beset forth.

5 tween the disk and the walls of the pipe, con- In witness whereof Ihereunto set my hand r 5 duit, or opening. *in the presence of twowitnesses.

4. The herein described dam or closure for y CO'ITER T. BRIDE. pipes,conduits, &c., consisting of disk or body Witnesses: a, hollow packingring b provided with tube WILLIAM W. DODGE, Io b', and metallichose-coupling or connection WALTER S. DODGE.

